i spent several nights at some pretty swank hotels in the Middle East a couple weeks ago, which were really quite a change from my normal overnighting habits — i’m a perpetual Airbnber, with about 20 stays so far over the years. several months ago i wrote a post about why i use Airbnbs (and tips on finding a great one) but i haven’t really had a chance to reevaluate my modus operandi in a while.
i was staying with top-tier hotel elites and we almost always got upgraded to suites, so if anything were to sway me, it would be goodies like these (i know, these are not professional hotel review photos!):
Magnificent lobbies (Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi, UAE)
Multi-room suites (Hilton Al Ain, Al Ain, UAE)
Wraparound balconies (Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah, UAE)
A ginormous pool area (Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah, UAE)
A breakfast buffet as far as the eye can see (Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi, UAE)
yes, such fancypants living! and as much as i respect those who enjoy the suite life, to paraphrase a modern-day sage:
this kind of luxe just ain’t for me; i crave a different kind of buzz.
i enjoy the vibrancy and local color of actual apartments, relying on local food and drink, and the lower cost of staying in Airbnbs. add to that the fact that i choose places with washing machines and that have internet (=no slow hotel internet you’re sharing. with. every. body. else.), i think that’s a win in my book. granted, this works well with my travel style: long-term in one place, minimal packing. also, i have no interest in staying in brands i know and trust. BO-RING!
as i like to say (ok, well, maybe i just started saying, Airbnbing is awesome).
It's time to play "let's figure out a Polish washing machine and Russian detergent" #aucm pic.twitter.com/Bsq8O9oes8
— Jonathan Khoo (@jonk) May 13, 2013
How cute is this airbnb?! (Also, how cute is Vilnius from what I saw on the drive in!) pic.twitter.com/RVBywS81aj
— Jonathan Khoo (@jonk) May 17, 2014
This airbnb is amazing! And it has a hot tub!!! pic.twitter.com/eKUNoCzu1n
— Jonathan Khoo (@jonk) May 3, 2014
Made it to the airbnb. I can get used to this! Now shower and sleep so I can stick to semi-EST schedule. pic.twitter.com/cl6xDHlXIK
— Jonathan Khoo (@jonk) November 24, 2013
p.s. not to mention not-so-suite bathroom problems at one particular hotel…
love it!!
Those are some snazzy hotel and airbnb situations!
with a bit of determination you can find some great airbnb places for not that much $!